Plate warmer



Nov. 27, 1962 A. c. SCAVULLO 3,065,744

PLATE WARMER Filed Aug. 22, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I35 7. /4E t I I HH100 ll I 1 Q1. INVENTOR FI6.IA BY Unite States 3,065,7 14 PLATE WARMERAngelo C. Scavullo, Jamaica, N.Y., assignor to Legion Utensils Company,lne, a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 22, 196i, Ser. No. 134,536 3Claims. (til. 126-246) My application is a continuation-impart of mycopending application, Ser. No. 841,418, filed September 21, 1959,entitled Plate Warmer, now abandoned, which is a continuation of myprior application, Ser. No. 661,951, filed May 27, 1957, and entitledPlate Warmer, now abandoned, and the invention relates to plate warmersfor restaurant and hospital use, and which plate warmers will maintaindinner plates with food at adequate temperature over prolonged timeintervals.

An object of my invention, therefore, is to provide a plate warmer whichis simple, inexpensive and easy to produce through simple and directproduction techniques, from sheet metal of available grade and size anddemanding only minimum investment in tools and dies, the while requiringno provision for added insulation, and assuring effective suppression ofsubstantially all tendency towards build-up of bacteria, while in useeffectively maintaining foodstuffs carried therein at desiredtemperature, the equipment itself being substantially free of sharpedges or discontinuous curves, thus readily lending itself to thoroughcleaning and sterilizing, and the several elements and parts of theplate warmer being readily and directly positionable in movably fixedrelation to each other, permitting carriage of the warmer with minimumlikelihood of relative movement between the parts thereof and so thatthe plate warmers may be transported while stacked one on top of theother.

Other objects and advantages will in part be obvious and in part morefully pointed out during the course of the following description,particularly when considered in the light of the several views of thedrawings.

My invention accordingly may be considered to reside in the severalparts, elements and features of construction; in the materials ofconstruction; and in the relation of each of the same with one or moreof the others, the scope of the application of all of which is morefully set forth in the claims at the end of this description. v

In the several views of the drawings, wherein I disclose that embodimentof my invention which I prefer at present,

' FIGS. 1 and 1A, respectively, disclose an exploded view and anassembled view of the plate warmer in which the several component partsand elements are shown in section; while FIG. 2 discloses in fragmentarysection a modified form of a part of the plate warmer; and

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of a plate warmer with top present, thisrepresenting a further embodiment of my invention.

Throughout the several views of the drawings like reference charactersdenote like structural parts.

As conducive to a more thorough understanding of my invention it may benoted that an important problem which interposes itself in the handlingof foodstuffs in hospitals and institutions is that of keeping theprepared foods hot during the time required to transport the same fromkitchen to dining room, and as well, during the course of the mealitself. This problem is accentuated where the distances of transport aresubstantial. example, in hospital practice, a main kitchen is located onone floor, while the individually prepared trays and plates are elevatedto localized distributing depots on the several hospital floors. Fromthere and at appointed times the trays are distributed to the individualpatients.

Again, it is frequently observed that considerable time .and the platewarmer base.

3,665,744 Patented Nov. 27, 1962 is consumed in the meal itself.Typically, with invalids and the aged, the meal is so protracted thatthe food, although hot when initially served, chills to unappetizingtemperature before it is entirely consumed. In such instance it isdesirable, both to have initial service of the food at propertemperature, and thereafter to maintain the same at proper temperatureduring the course of the meal.

This general problem has long been recognized. And much effort has beendirected in the art towards its solution. Many solutions have beenencountered. The use of a pellet has been proposed. Such pellet, afterundergoing heating to bring it to required temperature, is thereafterdisposed in close proximity to the plate of hot food. As a result of itsheat retentivity (i.e. its high specific heat) and its release of heatto the closely adjacent plate, it maintains this latter at desiredtemperature. Foods can both be served and thereafter maintained atacceptable temperatures.

Despite the basic soundness of this principle, experience discloses thatit does not work out entirely satisfactorily in actual practice.lllustratively it has been proposed to provide a plate warmer with baseportion, and a hot pellet carried within the same in spaced relation tothe bottom and side walls thereof.

Now, in this prior art embodiment, a metal box is filled with solidinsulating material located between pellet And the hot plate, with itscontent of food, is itself carried shortly above the hot pellet. A covermember is provided on top of the base member.

The prior art construction, however, has proved unsatisfactory in actualuse. Food acids, repeated thermal cycles, etc., rapidly causeseparation, at its seams, of the several parts from which the hollow boxis formed. And

this is so, whether the seams be welded, soldered or however made.Moisture thereupon penetrates the interior insulation. Flashed intovapor or steam upon application of the hot pellet these vapors causefurther separation at the junction of the metal parts of the box.Rupture takes place. And space is provided for foreign matter andbacteria. 1

An important object of my invention, therefore, is to avoid theseseveral disadvantages and defects in the prior art and at the same timeto provide a plate warmer, in which the hot pellet is carriedeffectively insulated, or all practical purposes, from the base member;which plate warmer is substantially free of tendency to distort; andwhich has long useful life, all parts thereof being formed of sheetmetal of one kind, which itself isinexpensive, non-strategic and readilyavailable; in which plate warmei' the use of solid insulation materialis effectively avoided; and wherein all parts of the plate warmer areformed of gently contoured, rounded and continuous curvature wherebythey can be readily sterilized and bacterial accumulation and growthmaintained at a minimum; and

wherein ahot dish of porcelain or other ceramic or the like is kept freeof the cover member, provision being made to carry this cover memberdirectly on the periphery of the base member, whereby the hot dish iskept free from strains imposed by the cover member either alone or withits added load of superposed plate warmers, and which plate warmer mayinclude any one of a variety of cover members where desired.

And now, having reference to the disclosure of the several views of thedrawings, it will be seen that I provide a plate warmer with base member10 disclosed in vertical transverse section in FIGS. 1 and 1A. This basemember assumes generally the form of an inverted, deeply dished saucerwhich has a generally flat bottom portion 12 2A, preferably circular inplan. At its periphery the 3 bottom portion A is gently and upwardlyrounded on continuous curvature, into gently and outwardly flaring,upstanding side wall 108. Side wall 108 is annular in cross-section. Thegeneral shape of base member 10 is of inverted concave section.

Near its upper terminal edge, however, the side wall 193 is outwardlyflared as at NC, on reverse curvature (i.e. inwardly convex andoutwardly concave) and then upturned, as at 10D. This provides anupstanding lip defining an inwardly and peripheral annular seat 10E forthe hot plate of foodstuffs or the like, to be referred to. Anupstanding offset, provided centrally of the bottom portion 19A, as at10F, serves the two-fold function of facilitating stacking of the platewarmers one on top of the other, and of positioning and removablyimmobilizing the pellet support, next to be described.

" Where desired, as appears more fully hereinafter and as shown in FIG.3, there is employed a double reverse curvature near the upper terminaledge of the side-wall portion of the base member to provide a doubleperipheral lip or shoulder, one adapted to seat the dinner plate and onethe lid or cover.

Pellet support 11, also disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 1A, comprises aninverted cup-like support element 11A. It has an upper portion 11B and adownwardly extending side wall 11C. The upper portion merges into sidewall 110 with gentle and continuous curvature, to provide an internaland downwardly concave opening. The side wall 11C, which is annular incross-section, is terminally and outwardly flared, on gentle reversecurvature, as at 11D, so asto fit snugly about the upstandingpositioning off-set 10F of base member 10. The side wall 11C of thesupport element is of such depth as to hold the upper portion 11B inspaced relation to the said stud 10F, thus providing a dead air space 11therebetween, and between the pellet-supporting cup portion hereinafterdescribed and said base member. It will be seen from the foregoing thatthe support element 11A, when applied within the base member 10, ispositioned centrally and removably fast at the bottom thereof. And thatit is retained in fixed relation to said base member, even when thelatter is canted to substantial extent to the horizontal.

The hot pellet, shortly to be described, is carried in a cup-likeelement, disclosed generally at 11E. This eleinent has a wide-diameter,bottommost portion 11F which engages on the topmost or outer surface ofthe upper pbrtien 11B of the supporting element 11A. Throughout itextent it is made permanently fast thereto in desired suitable m riner,as by welding or the like. The cup-like Element 1113 aasagentl outwardlyand upwardly flaring side wall 11G. This provides a shallow, upwardlyconcave and generally dish-shaped cup for the hot pellet.

While any suitable material may be employed for the preaaepi a of'thecombined support and cup, I prefer to the same bf stainless steel. Ifind that the stainless steel cup; and s'upport combination preventsexcessive heating of the bottom of the plate warmer base. Moreever, sucha cup-support lends itself readily and without damage to depeatedcleaning and sterilization.

The heat-retaining pellet itself is indicated generally a; 12. It is ofgenerally flattened and disc-like configuration, of diameter andthickness in transverse crossseason such that it is nicely retained inthe cup 11E when the latter is properly positioned within the basemember 10. Preferably, I provide a central opening 12A extendingtransversely therethrough, in the form of a bore. This facilitates readyhandling by a suitable tool (not shown). I prefer to form pellet 12 ofreadily available material possessing requisite high degree of heatretentivity or high specific heat. I find aluminum to be entirelysatisfactory for thispurpose.

In use, the aluminum pellet is brought to a high degree of temperature,as in a suitable kitchen-located oven, and is thenpositioned in the cup11E (see FIG. 1A). With onlyv circular line contact between the invertedsupport 11A and the interior face of the bottom 10A of the base member19, heat transmission is effectively retarded between the pellet 12 andthe base member 10. The dead air space between pellet support and basemember materially contributes to heat retentivity. AIldFVldently thematerial itself, stainless steel, substantially prevents heattransmission.

A plate, conventional in material, design and dimensions and usuallyformed of suitable ceramic, is disclosed at 13. It has outwardly andupwardly flaring rim 13A by which the plate (see FIG. 1A) is supportedon the peripheral ledge 10E of base member 10, so that the bottom part133 of the plate is freely carried in closely spaced relation to the hotpellet 12. Heat is earned from pellet 12, by convection and radiation,directly to the center, bottom portion 13B.

I provide a cover member, indicated generally at 14, for my platewarmer. This cover fits over dish 13. Preferably I maintain the same,when in position, completely out of contact with plate 13 and restingentirely on base member 10, preferably at and about its peripheral andupstanding edge 10D. In this manner all stressing of plate 13, whetherthermal or mechanical, is avoided. To this end the cover 14, in use, isdisposed in inverted position, so that its mid-portion 14A is disposeduppermost with its side wall 143 being gently let, by continuouscurvature (in transverse section), into the mid-portion 14A. Preferablythe side wall 143 is flared, providing inward concavity to the cover 14.Terminally the side wall 148 is reversely and outwardly flared, oncontinuous curvature, as at 14D, to provide a lip-like peripheral flange14E adapted to fit about and snugly engage the peripheral edge 10D ofthe base member 10.

For stacking, I provide a centrally opposed and upstanding ofiset 14F.This offset extends upwardly and outwardly from the top center of thecover 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The curvature at the junction which existsbetween the stud 14F and the cover bottom 14A is continuous and unbrokento facilitate ready sterilization and to avoid bacteria build-up. Thecover 14 is circular in section throughout its extent. While again, anysuitable material may be employed from which to construct this covermember 14 I prefer, for reasons already stated, to form the same ofstainless steel. Additionally, and by so doing, I am enabled to form allparts of the plate warmer from the same material, except for the pelletitself.

To permit escape of vapors which may gather from foodstuffsinadvertently spilling into the base member 10 from the food-laden plate13 while in transport or the like, I provide one or more openings 106 inthe side wall 10B of this base member. And similarly, and to permit therelease and escape of food-originated vapors from the top surface of theplate 13, I provide an opening 14G in the centrally located stud 14F ofthe cover member 14. Additionally, these openings 106 and 146 serve tofacilitate handling of the respective members in which they areprovided. It is apparent from the foregoing that the offsets 14F and 10Fpermit ready stacking of one plate warmer on top of the other, theoffset 14F engaging and overlying the offset 10F of the base member 10of the overlying plate warmer. A number of plate warmers can be carriedwith stable equilibrium between them, while in transport.

While in the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 I disclose an embodiment ofthe combined pellet cup and support wherein the cup 11E is in welded orriveted relation to the support 11A I prefer, for many reasons, tostrike this cup and support from a single piece of metal. By so doing, Ieliminate all cracks defining the seam between cup and support. Localfoci of bacteria build-up is avoided. And the problem of cleaning andsterilizing is rendered more simple.

The continuous support and cup, formed from a single piece of metal, isdisclosed in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Therein the combined element is indicated at 15. It is diestamped,deep-drawn or otherwise shaped from a single sheet of metal into theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2. Preferably formed of stainless steelsheet, I provide the combined element with vertical side wall 15A,turned at its top into a downwardly depending and centrally disposed cupindicated generally at 15B provided with bottom 15C for the reception ofthe aluminum pellet 12, and with up-wall 15D having gently upwardly andoutwardly extending flare, merging at its top into the outer side wall15A. The bottom of the side wall 15A is outwardly and downwardly flaredat 15E to provide a circular foot for reception about the upwardlyprojecting olfset F in base member 10. All transverse sections throughthe support of FIG. 2 are either circular or annular. All junctions, asat F and 15G, are comparatively gently and continuously curved, therebyeleminating areas for entrapment of foreign matter and bacteriabuild-up. The one-piece support and cup is stamped or deep-drawn in asingle, direct and simple operation.

It will be recalled that the aluminum pellets 12 are brought to hightemperature in a kitchen-located electric oven and are thus rendereddifficult and even hazardous in handling. I provide a suitable tool forthe ready manipulation of these pellets by which they can be readilyremoved from the oven and placed in the cup-like support providedtherefor as previously described.

And in the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 3 of the drawings, I provide abase member 10 with bottom raised as at 10F, side walls 10B andconcentric double peripheral lips 10C and 10H. A plate 13 withfoodstuffs is received and supported on the lip 10C. The lid or cover 14seats on the base member with the peripheral lip 10H of the base member.Any strain imposed on the plate 13 by the stacking of plate warmers oneon top of the other is avoided because the lid rests entirely upon thebase member and not upon the edge or rim of the plate of foodstuffs.Although, where desired, as where no stacking is contemplated, aslightly smaller lid may be employed which may rest partially on theedge of the plate although primarily on the outermost peripheral ledgeof the base member.

In this embodiment of my invention I illustrate a hollow dish-likesupport member 11' which fits over the raised portion 10F of the basemember bottom. This is more particularly described and claimed in mycompanion application Ser. No. 52,955, filed August 30, 1960 andentitled Plate Warmer. It is this dish-like member which serves toreceive and support a heating pellet 12. It comprises an inverteddish-like portion with upper peripheral shoulder 11L, depressed centralportion 11K and a disc 11F serving to effect closure of the inverteddish portion. Conveniently the rim of the disc is curved to conform tothe curve of the raised portion of the base member and also theoutwardly flaring rim 11C of the inverted dish-like support. And thetwo, the inverted dish-like member and the pellet support, are weldedtogether at their contacting peripheries. Moreover, the member 11' ispress-fitted onto the raised portion of base member 10 and preferablywelded thereto.

It is apparent from the foregoing that my new plate warmer satisfies avery real need in its general field of application. Low in cost, bothfrom the standpoint of materials required and manufacturing procedure,it displays long useful life. It is quickly conditioned for thereception of a plate of foodstuifs which is to be kept in its initialheated condition. 'The stainless steel construction, coupled with thesubstantial absence of sharp and disconcontinuous edges particularly inthe preferred construction provides no harbour for foreign matter andefiectively prohibits the build-up of bacteria during repeated service,while facilitating rapid, simple, direct and thorough cleaning andsterilization.

The construction of my plate warmer is such that substantially all ofthe heat stored in the aluminum pellet is transmitted by radiation orconvection to the bottom of the plate. Little heat is transmitted to thebase member. By consequence the bottom of the base member 10 does notbecome objectionably hot. Moreover, with minimum heat loss through baseand through cover, as well, the plate and its contents can be maintainedhot during transport over substantial distance and during storage forsubstantial intervals of time before actual service of the food.Additionally, plate 13 is maintained warm while the contents of theplate are being consumed.

All of the above are achieved with absence of special requirement forinsulation.

A number of plate warmers can be stacked one on top of the other fortransport or storage, With assurance that they will remain in firmlystable condition and without danger of tipping over or movement relativeto each other. As well, assurance is provided that the cup and supportwill remain firmly, properly and centrally situated in the basemember.Similarly, assurance is provided that the hot pellet will remainsecurely in its supporting cup. This cup, in turn, automaticallypositions itself in proper relation to the bottom face of the plate 13.

All the foregoing, as well as many other highly practical advantages,attend the practice of my invention. And since it is apparent that manychanges may be made therein, it is to be understood that the foregoingdisclosure is to be considered as purely illustrative and not by way oflimitation.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A plate warmer adapted to carry a plate and a heating pellet forsupplying heat to the plate and contents comprising, in combination, astainless steel sheet metal base member having an outwardly and upwardlyflared side wall portion with upstanding peripheral edge forming a ledgeadapted to receive a dinner plate and support the same within theconfines of said base member with contact only at the rim of the plate,said base member having at least one opening in the side wall portionthereof adjacent said peripheral ledge, and on the bottom thereof a lowcentral upstanding offset portion; and a stainless steel sheet metalsupport for the pellet having an inverted cup-like base portion withdownwardly extending side walls, with rim thereof fitting over and aboutsaid low central offset portion of said base member and contacting thesame by way of said rim, and an upper shallow cup-like portion spacedwell above said offset portion of the base member and providing aninsulating air space between said cup-like portion and said base member,said shallow cup-like portion being adapted to receive and support aheating pellet in a position closelyv adjacent the bottom of the dinnerplate but out of contact therewith and with the upper edge of theheating pellet projecting above the upper edge of the pellet-supportingshallow cup-like portion to ensure that heat from said pellet radiatesunobstructedly to the outer bottom surfaces of said plate, whereby thepellet supplies heat throughout the area of the plate bottom to transferheat to the entire contents of the plate.

2. A plate warmer adapted to carry -a plate and a heating pellet forsupplying heat to the plate and contents comprising, in combination, astainless steel sheet metal base member having an outwardly flared sidewall portion with double peripheral ledge portion comprising an innerledge adapted to receive a dinner plate and support the same within theconfines of the base member with contact only at the rim of the plate,and an outer ledge adapted to receive a lid or cover for said plate andcontents, said base member having on the bottom thereof a low centralupstanding oifset portion; and a stainless steel sheet metal support forthe pellet having an inverted cup-like base portion with downwardlyextending side walls, with rim thereof fitting over and about said lowcentral offset portion of said base member and contacting the same byway of said rim, and an upper shallow cup-like portion spaced well abovesaid offset portion of the base member and providing an insulating airspace between said cup-like portion and said base member, said shallowcup-like portion being adapted to receive and support a heating pelletin a position closely adjacent the bottom of the dinner plate but out ofcontact therewith and with the upper edge of the heating pelletprojecting above the upper edge of the pellet-supporting shallowcup-like portion to ensure that heat from said pellet radiatesunobstructedly to the outer bottom surfaces of said plate, whereby thepellet supplies heat throughout the area of the plate bottom to transferheat to the entire contents of the plate.

3. A plate warmer adapted to carry a plate and a heating pellet forsupplying heat to the plate and contents comprising, in combination, astainless steel sheet metal base member having an outwardly and upwardlyflared side wall portion with double peripheral ledge portion comprisingan inner ledge adapted to receive and support a dinner plate within theconfines of the base member with contact only at the rim of the plateand an outer ledge for receiving a lid or cover for said plate andcontents, said base member having on the bottom thereof a low centralupstanding ofi'set portion; a stainless steel sheet metal support forthe heating pellet having an inverted cup-like base portion withdownwardly extending side walls, with rim thereof fitting over and aboutsaid low central offset portion of said base member and cont-acting thesame by way of said rim, and an upper shallow cuplike portion spacedwell above said oifset portion of the base member and providing aninsulating air space between said cup-like portion and said base member,said shallow cup-like portion being adapted to receive and support aheating pellet in a position closely adjacent the bottom of the dinnerplate but out of contact therewith and with the upper edge of theheating pellet projecting above the upper edge of the pellet-supportingshallow cup-like portion to ensure that heat from said pellet radiatesunobstructedly to the outer bottom surfaces of said plate, whereby thepellet supplies heat throughout the area of the plate bottom to transferheat to the entire contents of the plate; and a lid or cover member withoutwardly and downwardly flared side wall portions with the peripheralrim thereof received on the outer ledge of said double peripheral ledgeportion of said base member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,582,735 Alaj Jan. 15, 1952 2,830,576 Torino et al Apr. 15, 1958FOREIGN PATENTS 13,819 Great Britain 1884

